LONDON (AFP) - A trio of top foreign managers have ruled themselves out of the running to lead under-achievers Manchester City next season.

City sacked boss Stuart Pearce on Monday, just a day after the Premiership season ended.

Pearce's men had set a new Premiership record for the least goals scored at home in a season widely regarded as dismal - they managed just 10 goals in 19 home games and even rock bottom Watford almost doubled that with 19.

Bosses at the City of Manchester Stadium are believed to favour a foreign coach but Louis van Gaal, Ronald Koeman and Gerard Houllier all ruled themsleves out, according to BBC Sport.

Van Gaal has managed Barcelona and the Netherlands, as well as leading Ajax to the Champions League crown and he is now masterminding a revolution at AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

Koeman just won the title with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands while former Liverpool boss Houllier just landed his second straight French title at Lyon.

Koeman's agent Gerrit Lagendijk told the BBC: "Ronald has one more year with PSV and would like to fulfil the contract."

He added: "We have spoken with two Premier League clubs in the last three weeks but not Manchester City.

"Even if Manchester City is coming up at this time, we would have to say no."

AZ's press officer Erik van Leeuwen said: "Louis has just renewed his contract at AZ and he will not go to Manchester City.

"Perhaps in the future he might consider one of the UK's top-flight teams but certainly not at the moment."

Lyon, meanwhile, posted a message on their website distancing Houllier from a return to England.

"We repeat that Gerard Houllier will next year be the coach of Lyon, with whom he is under contract until June 2008," it said.

City have already gone through 18 managers since Joe Mercer left in 1971.

But as takeover rumours abound at the club, including a reported bid from former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the club's future, not something that is likely to attract top class coaches.

The bookmakers' favourite is former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, who is currently spearheading Parma's bid to avoid relegation in Italy.